This is just an introduction. I fully intend to walk through a new way for you to figure out what makes pop music so addictive. I will be the first to admit that I am not a Top 40 listener, but there is something intrinsically brilliant about the writing of pop music.
I studied music before I turned my eyes to writing. During my time as a music student, I had a conversation with a peer about the creation of pop music.
“There is not talent in writing modern pop,” he said. “These singers have somebody writing all of there songs for them.”
I didn’t argue with that point. True, some of today’s most famous artists don’t write their own songs. Some may see that as a detriment to the craft, but in the end, someone is still behind those catchy songs.
Even the oft-satired Taylor Swift writes nearly all of her own songs.
What does this mean? Musicians are every bit as talented as they were decades ago. Buddy Holly can write just as good of a pop song as Bruno Mars can.
Times have changed – not the music.
Next week, I will be introducing some great pop music, not because you haven’t heard it before, but because truly listening will be like hearing it for the first time.
Contact CU Independent Entertainment Editor Patrick Fort at Patrick.fort@colorado.edu.
